Here's FXDB's interview with David Kuzy of Phosphene Audio:

How did Phosphene Audio start?

I have played music for years and was always interested in the gear and how it worked.

Sometime in the late 90's I built a PAiA Ring Mod kit. After that, I started building other pedals from what diy designs i could find. I also spent a lot of time building and tweaking tube amps( I may eventually branch the business out into amps, but not right now). I built a bunch of Metasonix inspired tube synth stuff to use at home.

In the early and middle 00's, I actually slowly started selling things. I made some ridiculously large (compared to what was in them) transformer/diode ring mods for some friends. I sold a few other odds and ends to friends as well.

I also built a sub-miniature tube preamp that was installed in a friends archtop guitar. I started to build my own pedals and then also built some things for friends.

Once I came up with a couple of designs i really liked, I decided to go ahead and create a formal entity, or at least the appearance of one. Sometime around late 2009, the first actual Phosphene branded pedals started to appear. A couple were copies of things, a Rangemaster and a Ge Fuzz Face, but I really wasn't interested in making copies of existing pedals (though I can think of one or two cases where I might make an exception).

I sold some one-off pedals to folks in the local music scene. I may revisit some of these. One was a 7 knob Fuzz Face+Boost called the Solar Disc. There were tow pedals using the same circuit as my 976-KVLT pedal in large boxes with extra features like an additional boost section or a boost with EQ added. They were called the Nagelbett and the Elitist.

It can be hard, when just starting out, to get people to really pay enough for the large box, dual effects to make it worth ones while, so I turned my attention to two simpler pedals, the 976-KVLT and the 976-PUNK. These were originally the same design with different paint jobs, but at some point, I changed the 976-PUNK to its own unique circuit.

The first serial numbered PUNK and KVLT pedals appeared sometime in 2010.

At this point, it is just me, though I pay someone to do the artwork. Early on, I got some help and advice form a couple of people I had worked with at one of my jobs. One was an electrical engineer who did some audio design work and the other was a repairman who learned electronics in the Navy.

Early inspiration also came from Z.Vex and Metasonix. They were two of the earliest companies that I remember making interesting stuff whose aesthetics (sonic and visual) I loved.

Here's FXDB's interview with Rex Thornton of Erafuzz:

How did Erafuzz start?

First, let me give you a brief history of my music and electronic background.

I started learning acoustic guitar at the age of 9, and playing electric guitar when I was 15 years old. I started discovering guitar effects pedals during that time. I founded a thrash/death metal band at the age of 18, and played guitar with the band for 4 or 5 years. Years later I played in different cover bands, and now I’m making music.

On the other hand, I started with formal electronic classes at the age of 12 for 3 years. I worked in different electronic projects during that time. Also, in college I attended electronic classes. I have a bachelor degree in Computer Science. After graduating from college, I worked in a power electric company for 6 years developing a bill collector system (ATM like) using the System 500 and System 600 made by Standard Change-Makers. I have worked with computer systems, applications, interfaces, websites, computer hardware and electronics (bill and coin acceptors, dispensers, and electronic interfaces).

Now coming back to the question, I first started asking other effect builders to make some fuzz pedals for me and I liked so much the entire process that I realized that I couldn’t stop doing it. Also, I was/am so interested in finding new fuzz tones that it will be impossible to continue without a financial support.

But even more important, I love music and I want to collaborate with other guitarists to make more music with the assistance of my pedals.

The first fuzz prototype I built was the Buzzaround and I remember that Dave at Montgomery Appliances assisted me in the process of selecting the right germanium transistors. He is a great guy. After that I was on my own doing research everywhere and experimenting with different circuits, transistors, capacitors, resistors, diodes, etc. creating new circuit designs, building transistor testers, etc. to come up with my own signature fuzz tone.

Musically and as a pedal builder I have been inspired by all the fuzz pedals.

Here's FXDB's interview with Lim Ruishen of TheBlueArk:

How did TheBlueArk start?

I actually wanted a simple A/B box, but it was impossible to find in Singapore. I researched a bit and decided to put some soldering skills I picked up in school to good use. Since it was cheaper to order in bulk, I had a lot of spare parts and gave a few pedals to friends and started a simple website to sell off the rest. It kind of cascaded from there.

I had a lot of help from diystompboxes.com. I spend loads of time on forums and for a couple of years was very active on that one. The people there are great and very friendly.

Here's FXDB's interview with Andrea Giovanetti of Giovanetti Hand Wired:

How did Giovanetti Hand Wired start?

I'm a guitarist and a sound engineer.
I' started boulding tube amps about 10 years ago, but find tha build pedals was more remunerative.
I started building pedals in 2008.

The only help was from the net (schematics)

Here's FXDB's interview with Tim Green of Toyroom Guitar Effects:

How did Toyroom Guitar Effects start?

I started building pedals for no real reason. I had a fairly reasonable collection pedals and was curious as to how they worked and made such amazing sounds. I also had a few good friends that would have conversations about building pedals and amps and I felt left out. So I thought if they can do it, so can I.

I got so much help when I was starting out and I still get plenty of help now. From circuits and troubleshooting to parts sourcing and cheap pedal purchases, I have people all over the globe helping me out. I don't really have much inspiration from other pedal builders, since what I do is fairly unique in terms of parts selection. I guess the guys at D*A*M use some great parts in their builds so they are up there in my books. I get a lot of inspiration from amp builders though, there is nothing more beautiful than a really neat, well build tube amplifier.

6 new brands

1. Aviation Effects
2. Blast Cult
3. DST Engineering
4. Le Bg
5. Partheus
6. Sonuus

89 new effects

1. (no brand name yet) Mini Expressionator - Multi-Expression Controller
2. Alesis AmpDock
3. Amptweaker SwirlPool - Tremolo/Vibe
4. Amsterdam Cream Air Boost
5. Amsterdam Cream Monster Power
6. Amsterdam Cream Original
7. Analog Alien SRV-45
8. Audible Disease RP-3 Rupture
9. Aviation Effects Red Arrow Overdrive
10. Bearfoot FX Dyna Red Hot Distortion
11. Bearfoot FX Honey Beest Overdrive
12. Black Cat Wee Buzz
13. Blackstar HT-Metal - Pure Valve Filth
14. Blast Cult Channel Blaster
15. Boss GT-100 Amp Effects Processor
16. Caline Heavy Rock
17. Catalinbread Nautilux - Chorus/Vibrato
18. Catalinbread Octapussy
19. Catalinbread Vibe Prototype
20. Daring Audio Edge Activator HD
21. Demeter Tremulator PS - Tremulation with Pre-sets
22. DigiTech iStomp
23. DV Mark DV Fuzzer
24. DV Mark DV Mini Boost
25. DV Mark DV Mini Dist
26. DV Mark DV Mini Drive
27. DV Mark DV7 Booster
28. DV Mark DV7 Distorsore
29. Earthquaker Devices Organizer
30. Earthquaker Devices Tone Job
31. Electro-Harmonix XO Deluxe Memory Man 550-TT
32. Fender Mustang Floor
33. GNI Analog Modula Delay
34. GNI Analog Tap Tempo Delay
35. GNI Compressor
36. GNI Detune Chorus
37. GNI Easy Flanger
38. Gretsch Tone Divider
39. Ibanez SD9M Sonic Distortion Mod
40. Ibanez TS9 30th Anniversary Tube Screamer
41. ISP Technologies Decimator II G String Noise Reduction
42. ISP Technologies Decimator II Noise Reduction
43. Jack Deville Electronics 4 Loop Programmable Click-Less Audio Control System
44. Jack Deville Electronics 8 Loop Programmable Click-Less Audio Control System
45. JAM Pedals Delay Llama+
46. Jim Dunlop ZW-357 Zakk Wylde signature Rotovibe
47. Korg PB-03 PitchBlack Poly - Polyphonic Tuner
48. Lovepedal Mk12 Chrome Bender
49. Markbass MB Mini Boost
50. Markbass MB Mini Dist
51. Markbass MB7 Booster
52. Markbass MB7 Distorsore
53. Matchless Hot Box 3
54. Mooer Audio Liquidiv... (???)
55. Moollon Aquarius - Delay
56. Moollon Sagittarius - Overdrive + Boost
57. Moollon Scorpius - Distortion + Boost
58. Moollon System Interface
59. Moreschi Compressor Sustainer
60. Morley Buffer Boost
61. MXR Custom Shop CSP-104 '73 Vintage Distortion+
62. MXR M-84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe
63. Nady AxeHead
64. NIG Analog Modula Delay
65. NIG Analog Tap Tempo Delay
66. NIG Compressor
67. NIG Detune Chorus
68. NIG Easy Flanger
69. Partheus Buffer-3
70. Pro Tone Pedals Nectar - Chorus
71. Radial Tonebone PZ-Deluxe - Acoustic Instrument Preamp
72. Sanox 110SX Excitor
73. Sonuus Wahoo
74. Suhr Jack Rabbit
75. TC Electronic The Dreamscape - John Petrucci signature pedal
76. TC-Helicon VoiceLive Play
77. TC-Helicon VoiceLive Play GTX
78. Tech 21 Bass Boost Fuzz
79. Tech 21 Boost Distortion
80. Tech 21 Boost Fuzz
81. Tech 21 Boost Overdrive
82. Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 4x4
83. Vox Delay Lab
84. WMD Geiger Counter Pro
85. Wren and Cuff The Caprid - Legendary Distortion
86. Z. Vex Sonar
87. Z. Vex Vextron Loop Gate
88. Zoom B3 Bass Effects & Amp Simulator Pedal
89. Zoom G5 Guitar Effects & Amp Simulator

You can find the overviews of the previous weeks here

Bearfoot FX

BearFoot is a collaboration between BJFelectronics and DonnerBox to produce some of Bjorn Juhls best designs. These guys really need no introduction, Bjorn Juhl has been building amazing pedals for years and Donnerbox has been around for a long time creating funky boxes. The news of these guys teaming up to recreate the amazing BJFE pedals, at a lower price and in bigger numbers, got the anticipation levels of many pedal lovers WAY up. I am looking at the first pedals they recreated. Check out the reviews of the Dyna Red Distortion, Honey Bee OD and Mint Green Mini Vibe! All BearFoot products are designed by Bjorn and produced by Donnerbox in the USA.

Model H

If I were to judge this pedal only by its looks, I would absolutely love it. The blue ‘n’ black paintjob reminds me a lot of the schmear paintjobs of my favorite guitars by James Tyler. But let’s look at the controls! Again we have volume and drive and an interesting 3rd control that is not only an EQ control. It also changes the head room and the feel of the pedal. Like the Dyna Red, this pedal can be run at alternative voltages, anything between 8v and 12v works!

Bearfoot FX

BearFoot is a collaboration between BJFelectronics and DonnerBox to produce some of Bjorn Juhls best designs. These guys really need no introduction, Bjorn Juhl has been building amazing pedals for years and Donnerbox has been around for a long time creating funky boxes. The news of these guys teaming up to recreate the amazing BJFE pedals, at a lower price and in bigger numbers, got the anticipation levels of many pedal lovers WAY up. I am looking at the first pedals they recreated. Check out the reviews of the Honey Bee OD, Model H and Mint Green Mini Vibe! All BearFoot prodcuts are designed by Bjorn and produced by Donnerbox in the USA.

Dyna Red Distortion

The Dyna Red distortion comes in a blood red box with 3 controls. Volume and distortion need no explanation, the 3rd control again is an EQ control but not as you know it as it has the most impact on your high end.  Fairly straightforward and that is often the right way! The Dyna Red can be run with anything from 5v (more saturation) up to 15v (more headroom, tighter response) so don’t forget to check this out for extra tones.

Bearfoot FX

BearFoot is a collaboration between BJFelectronics and DonnerBox to produce some of Bjorn Juhls best designs. These guys really need no introduction, Bjorn Juhl has been building amazing pedals for years and Donnerbox has been around for a long time creating funky boxes. The news of these guys teaming up to recreate the amazing BJFE pedals, at a lower price and in bigger numbers, got the anticipation levels of many pedal lovers WAY up. I am looking at the first pedals they recreated. Check out the reviews of the Dyna Red Distortion, Model H and Honey Bee OD! All BearFoot prodcuts are designed by Bjorn and produced by Donnerbox in the USA.

Mint Green Mini Vibe

The new and now REALLY “mini” Mint green mini vibe comes in the exact same color as the old one. It’s not only a smaller box, it now also has the level boost trimmer on the outside via the 3rd control. The 2 other controls are to set the Speed (Vel.) and Depth (Ampl.). For improved headroom and depth, you can run the pedal from 8v to 18v. I played the original many years ago and this smaller version is a big step forward. I’m also happy they retained the pulsating led from the original.

Here's FXDB's interview with Greg Clark of Funky Munk:

How did Funky Munk start?

About 5 years ago I had gotten some gear repaired and always being a hands on type of guy I decided that I'd learn as much as I could about the components and general construction methods that are used in building sound equipment. I was a general contractor at the time and had winters off. With all that time on my hands I decided to invest in all the supplies necessary to start building effects pedals and amps. I started tweaking my friends gear until I started to build my own on a regular basis.

It's really been a one man show for me. Inspiration came from what gear all my guitar heroes used over the years as well as a few pedal and amp building forums.